The official figures compare claimed and actual Japanese losses after the 4 May attack on Tulagi. Twenty-two torpedoes, 76 one-thousand-pound bombs, and 82,665 machine-gun rounds produced less damage than initially believed despite weak air and anti-aircraft opposition. The confirmed results included the destroyer Kikuzuki and four landing barges sunk, with a minelayer and another destroyer damaged. The discrepancy led British analysts to distinguish technical weapon failure from pilot proficiency instead of accepting the first combat claims at face value.
Notable Point · 10:26-12:29
Tulagi's high ammunition cost for limited results
British analysis contrasts the large Tulagi strike expenditure with the smaller damage later confirmed against Japanese ships.